The audiometer is a machine used by audiology centers and ENT specialists to measure hearing loss in patients. More often than not, it is a part of the audiometry test equipment used for administering various tests. Audiometers now available in the market come in both hardware and software form.
The hardware-based version is a simple piece of equipment that generates a pure tone at varying intensities that can be controlled. The subject hears the tones in one ear at a time through headphones. Every time a tone is heard, the subject pushes a feedback button.
These machines can be standalone or connected to a computer that offers a full suite with easy control. There are many types and categorizations, including the basic division of all audiometers into air or bone conduction systems. They can be handhelds or portable devices, or a stationary full-fledged machine with all kinds of features.
The software-based device generates the same tone that is heard and responded to subjects in pretty much the same way. The only difference is that the tones in this case are prerecorded sounds stored in the computer. The audio output from the computer's sound card is sent to the headphones.
Hardware audiometers used by professional audiology centers, hospitals and research centers are more expensive, but also highly accurate and more reliable. These machines must be calibrated regularly to ensure that the intensity of the tone heard by subjects accurately reflects the level shown on the device display. Calibration also ensures standardized testing and consistent results no matter where the machine is used.
Audiometry software installed on desktops or laptops can be used at home by anyone, and it is relatively affordable. It is more difficult to calibrate the software, which also means that accuracy is hard to achieve. It is, however, still good enough to allow a subject to self-test and determine if their hearing is normal or needs medical treatment.
The point of all this, whether it is a software or hardware-based system, is to find out exactly when the subject stops hearing the tone. This helps physicians diagnose hearing problems and provide treatment. It usually involves at least a bit of ear cleaning and perhaps some ear drops, if not a hearing aid or even surgery.
Industrial audiometric testing also needs the same audiometers, and the process followed is about the same as described above. However, subjects are not required to go the clinic or audiology center. Rather, a mobile lab packed with all the equipment and technicians is dispatched to the industrial facility to evaluate how workers are being affected by the onsite noise.
The results are not only used to evaluate hearing loss, but also to decide whether the facility needs to implement noise muffling mechanisms. Such regular on-site checkups may also be required in group health plans in order to protect workers from any further loss in their hearing ability. An audiometer used in such applications must be extremely accurate, calibrated to within fractions of a decibel.
The hardware-based version is a simple piece of equipment that generates a pure tone at varying intensities that can be controlled. The subject hears the tones in one ear at a time through headphones. Every time a tone is heard, the subject pushes a feedback button.
These machines can be standalone or connected to a computer that offers a full suite with easy control. There are many types and categorizations, including the basic division of all audiometers into air or bone conduction systems. They can be handhelds or portable devices, or a stationary full-fledged machine with all kinds of features.
The software-based device generates the same tone that is heard and responded to subjects in pretty much the same way. The only difference is that the tones in this case are prerecorded sounds stored in the computer. The audio output from the computer's sound card is sent to the headphones.
Hardware audiometers used by professional audiology centers, hospitals and research centers are more expensive, but also highly accurate and more reliable. These machines must be calibrated regularly to ensure that the intensity of the tone heard by subjects accurately reflects the level shown on the device display. Calibration also ensures standardized testing and consistent results no matter where the machine is used.
Audiometry software installed on desktops or laptops can be used at home by anyone, and it is relatively affordable. It is more difficult to calibrate the software, which also means that accuracy is hard to achieve. It is, however, still good enough to allow a subject to self-test and determine if their hearing is normal or needs medical treatment.
The point of all this, whether it is a software or hardware-based system, is to find out exactly when the subject stops hearing the tone. This helps physicians diagnose hearing problems and provide treatment. It usually involves at least a bit of ear cleaning and perhaps some ear drops, if not a hearing aid or even surgery.
Industrial audiometric testing also needs the same audiometers, and the process followed is about the same as described above. However, subjects are not required to go the clinic or audiology center. Rather, a mobile lab packed with all the equipment and technicians is dispatched to the industrial facility to evaluate how workers are being affected by the onsite noise.
The results are not only used to evaluate hearing loss, but also to decide whether the facility needs to implement noise muffling mechanisms. Such regular on-site checkups may also be required in group health plans in order to protect workers from any further loss in their hearing ability. An audiometer used in such applications must be extremely accurate, calibrated to within fractions of a decibel.
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